Stringing machine



Dec. 18, 1928. 1 695396 E. B. CARTER STRINGINQ MACHINE Filed April 25, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec; 18, 1928.

E.B.CARTER STRINGING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1927 Deg 18, 1928.

E. B. Q TER' STRINGING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m ww wmfum mam Rm n\ IWve 71%02 Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,695,796 PATENT OFFICE.

EIQWARD.B. CARTER, 0F BOSTON,.MASSACHUSETTS.

surnmeme MACHINE.

Application'filed April 23, 1927. Serial No. 186,125.

My present invention is a novel and improved machine .for use in stringing articles on wires or similar devices, being particularly adapteditostring such articles having perforations therein. v

The present machine is particularly advantageous in the stringing of washers of the type used in the manufacture of rubber heels, and will function equally well with either flat or concave washers.

It has heretofore been considered impossible to string such concave washers upon wires, with the convex surface of said Washers down. The practice today, in the few machines feasible for this work, is to string concave washers with the concave surface down or toward the closed end of the wire. This necessitates a transfer. of the thus strung washers to a'second wire, in order that the washers may be then positioned or strung convex face down or toward the closed end of the wire. From this last strung position, the'washers are shipped to the factories manufacturing rubber heels, and are there transferred from the second wires to third wires, in the washer placing machines. All of these operations necessarily involve time and expense, and are otherwise disadvantageous.

My present novel machine obviates the difliculties above pointed out by stringing the washers upon the wires, in nested relation,

and with the convex sides of the washers.

facing downwardly on the wires on which they are strung.

I accomplish this desirable result by means of an exceedingly simple machine, having in essence but one movingpart. This ma chine comprises a hopper, through which is moved a rotor. In the rotor are a plurality of inserts having initial washer receiving recesses or paths. .Provided at predetermined spaced intervals over the surface of the rotor and inserts are a plurality of concentric guideways, interrupted at predetermined spaced intervals by pockets in said inserts. A plurality of wires are provided at one side of the machine, in such a position as to have their points or ends-engage said ooncentric guideways- On movement of the'rotor through the' hopper, and through the stack or pile of Washers contained in said hopper, .was hers will be received in the recesses provided in the inserts. are received in said recesses concave face ways.

The rotor is inclined, and the washers down. Movement of the rotor being continued,- when the inserts have passed top center of the rotor and are on their downward path, the washers will slide along said recesses, and drop into the pocketsabove mentioned, and will be held in said pockets with the perforations in the washers presented to the respective concentric guide The washers as thus held in the pockets, are presented to the points of the wires convex side down, so that they will be fed to the wires and nested thereon in position ready for shipment, or for use in washer placing machines, without the necessity of subsequently transfering the washers to an intermediate wire before final use.

The Wires in my present machine are'held in spring controlled sockets, so that when the wires are filled they will not present resistance to the passage of the rotor over said wires, the spring held sockets permitting the wires to give as pressure is exerted thereon, as for instance by bad washers, and thusthe operation of the machine will not be impeded, and; no damage will be caused to the machine or the wires. Suitable guideways and retaining means are provided for the wires, to maintain said wires in correct I alinement and position.

A complementary hopper is provided into which excess washers, or washers which are carried by the rotor when the wires are removed from the machine, will fall, and will return to the main hopper.

I believe that my machine, as above briefly K outlined, is novel, and I have therefore 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine; Fig. 3 is\a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of aportion of the rotor and insert at the lowermost point of the rotor;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional'view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6- 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the inserts and a portion of the rotor,

Fig, 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig.3, c

Fig. 9 is a plan view of. the part shown in Fi' 8' Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating the position of wires and washers just prior to positioningof the washers on the wires;

'Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view on the line'1111 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. -12 is across sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings, my present novel machine comprises a hopper consisting of side walls 1 and 2, inclined base 3, front wall 4, and back wall 5. The side walls 1 and 2 depend below the base 3 and act as a support for the hopper resting on a bench or base 6. A stack of washers is illustrated generally at 7. Mounted to move through the hopper and the stack of washers, is a rotor 8. This rotor is provided around its periphery with a circumferential slot or groove 9, inwhich slot the back wall 5 of the hopper fits. This serves both as a guide and supporting means for the rotor, and also prevents the washers in the hopper falling out of the back of the hopper. At'11, 11 is clearly illustrated the manner in which the back wall 5 engages the groove 9. The rotor 8 has a hub 12 through which asses a shaft 13.- This shaft 13 is'mounte in a bearing 14, and is secured against longitudinal movement by a disc or washer 15 pinned to the 'shaft 13 as at 16. The shaft 13 is secured to the hub 12 by a pin or the like 17, and an anti-friction bearing 18 is interposed betweenthe hub 12 and the main bearing 14.

This main bearing 14 is a part ofa standard of the shaft 24 is provided, a supporting frame 31 therefor bein'gsecured to the standard 19. Set in the rotor 8 are a plurality of inserts 32, these inserts being plate members with their upper surfaces flush with the upper or front surface of the rotor. These inserts 32 are formed with bevelled edges 33, and are inserted in undercut recesses 34 in the rotor. At the outer end the inserts 32 are secured to the rotor 8 by screws 35, and are'held in'position at their innerend by a ring 36 secured to the rotor by means of screws'37. The ring 36. has a flange or shoulder 38 engaging a corresponding flange or. shoulder 39 on the inserts 32, thus securely .holding the inner endsof the inserts. v

, The rotor 8 and inserts' 32 are provided with a plurality of concentric guideways 40, and the inserts 32 are each provided with a plurality of recesses 41, the guideways 40 passing through approximately the center of said recesses. "Each recess, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, for example, has an end 7 wall 42 and side walls 43, to confine the washer, illustrated at 44, within the recess 41." Therotor 8 is set in'an inclined position, at all times, and it will be understood that. as the rotor moves through the stack of washers, illustrated at 7, certain of said Washers will enter the recesses 41 in the inserts 32, the walls of said recess being of such a height that only those washers which are'received with their concave sides against 8 the rotor will be retained in said recesses. As shown in Fig. 3, these washers 44 will all be held against the end walls 42 of the recesses 41,- until the inserts have passed top' center during rotation of the rotor; After thus passing top center, the force of'gravity will slide'the washers 44 along the'recesses 41 until they. .drop, of their owri iweight, over the rounded edges 45 at the endsof the recesses 41, and. into pockets 46. These pockets 46 are so constructed and arranged that v the washers can only be." received therein with their convex sidesrspresented toward the path of movement of'the rotor.

The washers 44, thus held inpockets46, are 0. also so positioned that the perforations 47 in said washers are presented tothe'concentric guideways 40. A- small chute':,48

secured to the side wall 2 isprovided, said chute beinginclined toward themain hop- 10.! per, and into which chute any washers which do not drop into the;pockets 46 will drop, and be conveyed to the main hopper;

A plurality of wires 50 are positioned in such manner "that the upper end or point of each wire will engage one of the concentric guideways 40. These wires are alined by guides 51, secured to a frame 52, whic frame is in'turn secured to the side wall 2 as shown at 53, 53. A pivoted guiding and spacing member 54 is provided adjacent to the upper ends of the wires 50, to prevent springing of the wires outwardly. At the lower end of, the frame 52 is aflixed a compartment 55, in which compartment are positioned a plurality of, plungers 56, each plunger having a socket 57 anda slight stem 58 to engage one end of a coiled spring 59, the other end of the coiled spring 59 resting against. the bottom of the compartment 55. "Slots 60'are provided in the inner wall of the compartment.55,. and apin 61, secured to each plunger 56, rides in these slots 60, and is guidedthereby. Each of the wires 50 are provided at their lower ends 139 with the washers in the main hopper.

Figs. 4, 5, 8, 10 and '11 illustrate graphically the operation of the present machine. In Fig. 4 an insert 32 is at its lowermost point in the hopper, and a washer 44 has been received in the recess 41, with its concave-side toward the insert. In Fig. 5 the insert is part way up beyond the stack of washers, and the washer 44 has dropped down against the edge 42 of the recess 41.

In Fig. 8 the insert 32 has passed top cen-,

ter, these inserts moving in the direction of the arrows. The washer 44 has, dropped, by

1 gravity, over the curved edge 45 of the recess, and into the pocket 46. As shown in Fig. 10, the perforation 47 is then in aline-' ment with the guideway 40, and the wire 50 following this guideway has its point presented to the perforation 37. The rotor continuing its movement, the Washer 44 is positioned on to the wire, as clearly shown in Fig. 11. The washers 44 will now drop along the wires 50, as shown in Figs. land 2. When the wires are filled, the last washer will ride upon the point of the wire 50, raising the point from the rotor and inserts so that no damage will result thereto, and upon the top washer striking any of the pockets 46, or otherobstructions, the wire will be pushed downwardly, and the spring 59 will permit giving of the wire so that the operation of the machine will not be re tarded, and no damage will be caused to the machine, wires, or washers. The springs 59 will also function in this manner, should an imperforate or faulty washer be presented to the wires, depressing the wire from washer receiving position Without bending the same, and permitting the imperfect washer to drop beyond the Wire. I v

It will thus be seen that I have devised an extremely simple, economical, and efficient machine for this purpose. This machine will operate equally as well with flat washers as withconcavo-convex washers. If desired, the pockets 46 may be made of a suflicient size to accommodate more than onewasher at a time, which will increase the speed of the stringing operation, particularly with flat washers. have described and shown the present machine as working on and stringing washers, it will be appreciated that it is equally as applicable to other articles, and it is not Also, while I.

my intention to limit the machine of the present invention to washers.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts, within reasonably wide limits, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

One of the very important features of the present invention is the capacity of my nove1 machine for the selecting, positioning, and feeding of articles directly from a mass or pile, by means moving in an angular position and acting substantially as a part of one wall of the magazine or hopper containing said mass of articles. While this invention is primarily intended to handle, feed,

position, and string such articles as washers or thelike, it is also capable of use with eyelets, grommets, or such devices, particularly where a predetermined position of the articles being handled is desired. For example, in operating upon eyelets, the machine as described herein would be identical up to and including the wires, and from the wires the eyelets may be fed into chutes, delivered in proper stacked or nested relation for subsequent use. It will, therefore, be appreciated that my present machine is not restricted to merely stringing articles, but ismore broadly adapted, and has a wide field of utility. I

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. In a washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor, a wire associated with said rotor, and means to present the convex side of said washers to one end of said wire.

2. In a washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor, awire engaging the face of said rotor, and means to present the convex side of said washers to one end of said wire.

3. In a washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor having an annular guideway thereon, a wire engaging said guideway, and means to present the convex side of said washers to one end of said wire.

4. In a stringing machine, a rotor having a plurality of concentric guideways on one face thereof and having article engaging pockets alined with said guideways, a plurality of wires for receiving said articles, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires.

5. In a stringing machine, a rotor having a plurality of concentric guideways on one face thereof and having article engaging pockets alined with said guideways, a plurality of wires engaging said guideways for receiving said articles, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires. v 1

6. In a stringing machine, a rotor,.an in sert in said rotor having article engaging pockets therein, said rotor and said insert having an annular guideway thereon, a wire engaging said guideway to receive said articles, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wire.

7 In a stringing machine, a rotor, a plurality of inserts in said rotor having article engaging pockets therein, said rotor and said inserts having an annular guideway thereon, a wire engaging said guideway to receive said articles, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wire.

8. In a stringing machine, a rotor, a plurality of inserts in said rotor having article engaging pockets therein, said rotor and said inserts having a plurality of concentric and means to cause relative movement be tween said rotor and said wire, said rotor having article engaging recesses and pockets adapted to receive articlest-herein and to present the convex side of successive articles to said wire to be strung thereon during said relative movement.

11. In a stringing machine, a rotor, a plurality of inserts in said rotor having article engaging recesses and pockets therein, said rotor and inserts having an annular guideway thereon, a wire, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wire, the point of said wire being in continuous engagement with said guideway and in alinement with said pockets to remove said articles from saidpockets during said relative movement.

12. In a stringing machine, a rotor, a plurality of inserts in said rotor having article engaging recesses and pockets therein, said rotor and inserts having a plurality of concentric guideways thereon, wires positioned in engagement with said guideways and in alinement with said pockets, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires 13. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having washer engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive washers in said pockets, a wire positioned in alinement with said pockets, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wire, said pockets being so constructed that only washers which will have their convex side presented to said ,wire during said relative movement will be received therein.

14. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having article engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets, a plurality of concentric guideways on said rotor, wires engaging said guideways, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto.

15. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having article engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets, a

a plurality of concentric guideways on said rotor, spring-controlled wires engaging said guideways, and means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets withsaid wires and deliver said articles thereto.

16. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having article engaging H pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets, a

plurality of concentric guideways on said rotor, spring-controlled wires engaging said guideways, means to cause relative move-' ment between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto, and means to space, support, and aline said wires.

17. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having article engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive said articles in said pockets, a plurality of concentric guideways on said rotor, wires engaging said guideways, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto, said rotor being provided with a periphral groove, and one wall of said hopper being formed to engage said groove.

18. In a stringing machine, a rotor, a plurality of inserts in said rotor having article engaging recesses and pockets therein, said rotor and inserts having a plurality of concentric guideways thereon, wires positioned in engagement with said guideways and in alinement with said pockets, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires, and means on said rotor to hold said inserts against'movement.

19. In a stringing machine, a rotor, a. plurality of inserts in said rotor having article engaging recesses and pockets there in, said rotor and inserts having a plurality of concentric guideways thereon, Wires positioned in engagement with said guideways and in alinement with said pockets, and a removable ring on said rotor to hold said inserts against movement.

20. In a machine of the kind described, a

III

hopper adapted to hold a quantity of articles, a rotor having a peripheral groove therein, one wall of the hopper being of less height than the other walls and engaging the groove in said rotor, said rotor being adapted to select, separate, position, and feed articles from said hopper.

21. In a stringing machine, a-rotor having a plurality of article engaging recesses therein, and having a plurality of pockets adjacent to said recesses, means torotate said rotor, said recesses and said pockets be ing so constructed and arranged that said articles will pass from said recesses into said pockets during continued rotation of said rotor. I

22. In a stringing machine, a rotor having a plurality of article engaging recesses therein, and having a plurality of pockets adjacent to said recesses, means to rotate said rotor, said recesses and said pockets being so constructed and arranged that said articles will pass from said recesses into said pockets during continued rotation. of said rotor, and means to remove said articles from said pockets. 7

23. In a stringing machine, a rotor, a plurality of inserts -m undercut grooves in said rotor, said inserts having article engaging recesses and pockets therein, said rotor and inserts having a plurality of concentric guideways thereon, wires positioned in en? gagement with said guideways, and-means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto.

24.- In a Washer stringing .machine, a

washer carrying rotor having an annular guideway thereon, a wire, and means to p'ositlon washers on said wire, the point-of sa1d wire being in continuous engagement with said guideway until the stringing of said wire is completed.

25. In a washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor having an annular guideway thereon, awire, and means to present the convex sides of said washers to said wire, the point of said wire being in continuous engagement with said guideway until thestringing of said wire is completed.

26. In a stringing machine, a rotoi hav ing a plurality of concentric guideways on one face thereof and having article retaining pockets alined with said guideways, a plurality of wires, the points only of said wires engaging said guideways to receive said articles, and means to cause relative '1 movement between said rotor and said wlres.

27. A stringing machine comprising a hopper,.'a rotor having article engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets, a plurality of concentric guideways on said rotor,

rotor, wires engaging said guideways, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline saidpoclc ets-with said wires and deliver said articles thereto, said wires resting in spring controlled members.

28. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having article engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets, a plurality of concentric guideways on said rotor, wiresengaging' said guideways, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto, said wires resting in spring controlled members, and means to limit the movement of said spring bers and said wires.

29. A stringing machine comprising a controlled memhopper, a rotor having article engaging tor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wiresv and deliver said articles thereto, a casing, and a plurality of spring controlled hollow plungers in said casing, said wires resting in said plungers.

30. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a rotor having article engaging pockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets,-

a plurality of concentric guideways. on said rotor, wires engaging said guideways, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto, a casing, a plurality of hollow plungers in said casing, springs bearing against said plungers, said wlres resting v in said plungers, and means to limit the movement of said plungers and said wires. 31. A stringing machine comprising a hopper, a ,rotor having article engaging ockets therein and movable through said hopper to receive articles in said pockets, a plurality of concentric guideways on said wires engaging said guideways, means to cause relative movement between said rotor and said wires to aline said pockets with said wires and deliver said articles thereto, a casing, a plurality of hollow plungers in" said casing, springs bearing against said plungers, said wires resting in said plungers, said casing having a plurality of slots therein, a stud on eac of said plungers engaging said slots to limit the movement of said plungers and said wires. v

32. In a washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor, a wire associated with said rotor, and means to present the k convex surfaces of said washers to one end- .of said wire.

33. In a Washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor, a wlre associated with said rotor, means to position washers on I said wire, a casing, a hollow plunger in said. casing, said wire resting in said plunger, and means to limit the movement of said plunger.

34. In a washer stringing machine, a washer carrying rotor, a wire'associated with said rotor, means to position washers on said Wire, a casing, a hollow plunger in said casing, a spring bearing against said plunger, said Wire resting in said plunger, and means to limit the movement of said plunger and said wire.

35. In a washer stringing machine, a

washer carrying rotor, a wire associated with said rotor, means to position washers on said wire, a casing, a hollow plunger in said casing, a spring bearing against said plunger, said wire resting in said plunger, said casing having a slot therein, and a stud on said plunger engaging said slot to limit the movement of said plunger and said wire.

36. In a stringing machine, a rotor having a, plurality of article engaging recesses therein, and having a plurality of pockets adjacent to said recesses, means to rotate said rotor, sai'd recesses and pockets being so constructed and arranged' that saidv articles will be received in said recessesfiat against the face of the rotor and will pass, during continued rotation of said rotor, into said pockets and be heldtherein in a position angular to the face of said rotor.

37. In a stringing machine, an inclined rotor having a plurality of article engaging recesses therein, and having a plurality of,

pockets adjacent tosaid recesses, means to rotate said rotor, said recessesand pockets EDWARD B. CARTER. 

